Internal current conduction for a fuel cell stack

ABSTRACT

A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fuel cell stacks, and more particularlyto current conduction through a fuel cell stack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fuel cell systems are increasingly used as a power source in a widevariety of applications. Fuel cell propulsion systems have also beenproposed for use in vehicles as a replacement for internal combustionengines. The fuel cells generate electricity that is used to chargebatteries and/or to power an electric motor. A solid-polymer-electrolytefuel cell includes a membrane that is sandwiched between an anode and acathode, referred to as an MEA or membrane electrode assembly. MEA's aresandwiched between conductive separator plates. To produce electricitythrough an electrochemical reaction, a fuel, commonly hydrogen (H₂), butalso either methane (CH₄) or methanol (CH₃OH), is supplied to the anodeand an oxidant, such as oxygen (O₂) is supplied to the cathode. Thesource of the oxygen is commonly air.

One characteristic of PEM fuel cells is that power is often provided ata higher current and a lower voltage than is required by the loads theyare connected to. As a result, a power conversion device is incorporatedbetween the load and the fuel cell stack to step up the voltage suppliedto the load. Such power conversion devices increase cost, weight andvolume of the fuel cell system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack includinga plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of whichincludes a plurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connectedin electrical series. The current flow between adjacent fuel cells isachieved across diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.

In another feature, the fuel cell stack further includes a seal disposedbetween and along a portion of adjacently aligned fuel cells. The sealis fluid impermeable and electrically non-conductive.

In another feature, the fuel cell stack further includes a seal disposedbetween and along a portion of adjacently aligned fuel cells. The sealis fluid impermeable and electrically conductive.

In still another feature, the fuel cell modules are connected inelectrical parallel.

In yet another feature, the fuel cell modules are connected inelectrical series.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary fuel cell systemincluding a fuel cell stack in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the fuel cellstack;

FIG. 3 is the schematic cross-section of FIG. 2 illustrating currentflow through modules of the fuel cell stack;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section of the fuel cell stack illustratingthe modules connected in electrical parallel; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary first reactant distribution layerof the fuel cell stack;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exemplary first diffusion media layer of thefuel cell stack;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary polymer exchange membrane (PEM)layer of the fuel cell stack;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exemplary second diffusion media layer ofthe fuel cell stack;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exemplary second reactant distribution layerof the fuel cell stack; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view of the multiple layers of thefuel cell stack illustrating multi-dimensional reactant flowtherethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary fuel cell system 10 isillustrated. The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 12, ahydrogen storage system 14 and a compressor 16. The hydrogen storagesystem 14 includes a regulator system 18, which regulates a hydrogenflow to an anode side of the fuel cell stack 12. The compressor 16provides pressurized, oxygen-rich air to a cathode side of the fuel cellstack 12 through a regulator 20. Reactions between the hydrogen andoxygen within the fuel cell stack 12 generate electrical energy that isused to drive a load (not shown). A control module 22 regulates overalloperation of the fuel cell system 10. Measuring electronics 24 monitorcharacteristics (e.g., voltage, current) of the fuel cells of the fuelcell stack 12 and communicate corresponding signals to the controlmodule 22. The control module 22 regulates operation of the fuel cellsystem based on a load input and the signals generated by the measuringelectronics 24 of the fuel cell system 10. The load input indicates thedesired electrical energy output from the fuel cell stack 12. Forexample, in the case of a vehicle, the load input could include athrottle.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of a portion of the fuel cellstack 12 is illustrated. The fuel cell stack 12 includes a plurality offuel cell modules (M₁, M₂, . . . , M_(n)) that each include a pluralityof fuel cells (C₁₁, . . . , C_(m1); C₁₂, . . . , C_(m2); C_(1n), . . . ,C_(mn)). More specifically, each fuel cell module includes insulated endplates (IEPs) 30, between which, the plurality of fuel cells aredefined. The IEPs 30 include reactant channels 32 formed therein and caninclude heat transfer channels 34 formed on a side opposite to the sidethat includes the reactant channels 32. Reactants (e.g., anode andcathode reactants) are distributed across the fuel cell modules throughthe reactant channels 32, as described in further detail below. A heattransfer medium flows through the heat transfer channels 34 to regulatethe temperature of the fuel cell stack 12.

Each fuel cell includes first reactant channels 32 a, second reactantchannels 32 b, diffusion media 36 and a polymer exchange membrane (PEM)38 and anode and cathode catalyst layers 39 a, 39 c, respectively. ThePEM 38 and the anode and cathode catalyst layers 39 a, 39 c define amembrane electrode assembly (MEA). The first and second reactantchannels 32 a, 32 b are formed in the IEPs 30. Two adjacently stackedIEPs 30 define a bipolar plate. The IEPs 30 are electricallynon-conductive and are thermally conductive. In this manner, heat can betransferred between the fuel cell modules and a heat transfer mediumflowing through the heat transfer channels.

Adjacent fuel cells are separated from one another within the fuel cellmodules by a first seal 40 and a second seal 42. The first and secondseals 40,42 are gas seals that inhibit reactant seepage between adjacentfuel cells. The first seal 40 is electrically non-conductive and thesecond seal 42 is electrically conductive to define a current flowthrough the fuel cell module, as discussed in further detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the fuel cells within each module are connectedin electrical series. More specifically, the diffusion media 36 areelectrically conductive to define current flow across the fuel cellmodule. A cathode (O₂) diffusion media 36 c is in electricalcommunication with an anode (H₂) diffusion media 36 a of an adjacentfuel cell through the second seal 42. In this manner, current flowacross the individual fuel cells from anode to cathode sides continuesflowing from cathode diffusion media 36 c to adjacent anode diffusionmedia 36 a between the fuel cells. It is anticipated that the modulescan be connected in electrical parallel or electrical series (see FIG.4).

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 9, exemplary layers of a fuel cellmodule will be discussed in detail. The exemplary layers define amulti-dimensional reactant flow for both the anode and cathode reactantsthrough the multiple fuel cells within the fuel cell module. Withparticular reference to FIG. 5, a first reactant (i.e., anode orcathode) carrier plate 50 is illustrated and includes first reactantinlet and outlet headers 52,54 that are in fluid communication withdistribution channels 56 and second reactant headers 58 formedtherethrough. The first reactant inlet and outlet headers 52,54 are influid communication with a first reactant source and the second reactantheaders are in fluid communication with a second reactant source.

The distribution channels 56 distribute a flow of the first reactant toa planar flow field defined by a plurality of planar channels 60. Theplanar channels are defined between a plurality of second reactant flowsections 62, discussed in further detail below. Although a single planarchannel 60 is illustrated between adjacent second reactant flow sections62, it is anticipated that a plurality of planar channels 60 can beformed between adjacent second reactant flow sections 62. A plurality offirst reactant outlets 64 are provided and enable fluid communication toa second reactant (i.e., the other of anode and cathode) carrier platediscussed in further detail below with respect to FIG. 9. Morespecifically, the first reactant outlets 64 corresponds to firstreactant passages of the other module layers to enable fluidcommunication path across the fuel cell module. A plurality ofcorresponding first reactant inlets 66 are also provided to enable firstreactant flow to return to the first reactant carrier plate 50 fromacross the fuel cell module.

Each second reactant flow section 62 includes at least one planarchannel 68, a second reactant inlet 70 and a second reactant outlet 72.A second reactant flow enters the second reactant flow section 62through the second reactant inlet 70. The second reactant flow isprovided from the second reactant carrier plate from across the fuelcell module. The second reactant flow exits the second reactant flowsection 62 through the outlet 72 and returns to the second reactantcarrier plate. Although a single planar channel 68 is illustrated withineach second reactant flow section, it is anticipated that a plurality ofplanar channels 68 can be formed within each second reactant flowsection 62.

With particular reference to FIG. 6, a first diffusion media layer 80 ofthe fuel cell module is illustrated. It is anticipated that the firstdiffusion media layer 80 can be formed of an electrically non-conductivesheet or foil 82 (e.g., plastic, polymer, etc.). The first diffusionmedia layer 80 includes first reactant headers 84 and second reactantheaders 86 that correspond to the reactant headers of adjacently stackedlayers. The first diffusion media layer 80 further includes firstreactant diffusion media sections 88 and second reactant diffusion mediasections 90 that are carried by the sheet 82. When stacked adjacent tothe first reactant carrier plate 50, the first reactant diffusion mediasections 88 align with the first reactant planar channels 60 and thesecond reactant diffusion media sections 90 align with the secondreactant planar channels 68. In this manner, the first reactant is ableto diffuse through the first reactant diffusion media sections 88 andthe second reactant is able to diffuse through the second reactantdiffusion media sections 90.

The first diffusion media layer 80 further includes a plurality of firstreactant passages 92 and a plurality of second reactant passages 94. Thefirst reactant passages 92 align with the first reactant inlets andoutlets 64,66 of the first reactant carrier plate 50 to enable firstreactant flow across the fuel cell module. The second reactant passages94 align with the second reactant inlets and outlets 70 of the firstreactant carrier plate 50 to enable second reactant flow across the fuelcell module.

Although each of the first reactant and second reactant diffusion mediasections 88,90 are gas sealed from one another, alternating firstreactant and second reactant diffusion media sections 88,90 areconductively coupled. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the dashed linesseparating adjacent diffusion media sections 88,90 indicate anelectrically conductive gas seal and solid lines separating adjacentdiffusion media sections 88,90 indicate an electrically non-conductivegas seal. In this manner, electrical current flow is enabled betweenselective adjacent diffusion media sections 88,90.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA)layer 100 of the fuel cell module is illustrated. It is anticipated thatthe MEA layer 100 can be formed of an electrically non-conductive sheetor foil 102 (e.g., plastic, polymer, etc.). The MEA layer 100 includesfirst reactant headers 104 and second reactant headers that correspondto the reactant headers of adjacently stacked layers. The MEA layer 100further includes an MEA 108 that is carried by the sheet 102. Whenstacked adjacent to the first diffusion media layer 80, the MEA isaligned across the first and second reactant diffusion media sections88,90. In this manner, the first and second reactants are able to reactacross the MEA 108.

The MEA layer 100 further includes a plurality of first reactantpassages 110 and a plurality of second reactant passages 112. The firstreactant passages 110 align with the first reactant passages 92 of thefirst diffusion media layer 80 to enable first reactant flow across thefuel cell module. The second reactant passages 112 align with the secondreactant passages 94 of the first diffusion media layer 80 to enablesecond reactant flow across the fuel cell module.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a second diffusion media layer 120 of the fuelcell module is illustrated. It is anticipated that the second diffusionmedia layer 120 can be formed of an electrically non-conductive sheet orfoil 122 (e.g., plastic, polymer, etc.). The second diffusion medialayer 120 includes first reactant headers 124 and second reactantheaders 126 that correspond to the reactant headers of adjacentlystacked layers. The second diffusion media layer 120 further includesfirst reactant diffusion media sections 128 and second reactantdiffusion media sections 130 that are carried by the sheet. When stackedadjacent to the MEA layer 100, the first reactant diffusion mediasections 128 align with the second reactant diffusion media sections 90of the first diffusion media layer 80 across the MEA layer 100.Similarly, the second reactant diffusion media sections 130 align withthe first reactant diffusion media sections 88 of the first diffusionmedia layer 80 across the MEA layer 100.

The second diffusion media layer 120 further includes a plurality offirst reactant passages 132 and a plurality of second reactant passages134. The first reactant passages 132 align with the first reactantpassages 110 of the MEA layer 100 to enable first reactant flow acrossthe fuel cell module. The second reactant passages 134 align with thesecond reactant passages 112 of the MEA layer to enable second reactantflow across the fuel cell module.

Although each of the first reactant and second reactant diffusion mediasections 128,130 are gas sealed from one another, alternating firstreactant and second reactant diffusion media sections 128,130 areconductively coupled. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the dashed linesseparating adjacent diffusion media sections 128,130 indicate anelectrically conductive gas seal and solid lines separating adjacentdiffusion media sections 128,130 indicate an electrically non-conductivegas seal. In this manner, electrical current flow is enabled betweenselective adjacent diffusion media sections 128,130.

With particular reference to FIG. 9, the second reactant (i.e., anode orcathode) carrier plate 140 is illustrated and includes second reactantinlet and outlet headers 142, 143, respectively, that are in fluidcommunication with distribution channels 144, and first reactant headers146 formed therethrough. The second reactant headers 146 are in fluidcommunication with a second reactant source and the first reactantheaders are in fluid communication with a first reactant source.

The distribution channels 144 distribute a flow of the second reactantto a planar flow field defined by a plurality of planar channels 148.The planar channels 148 are defined between a plurality of firstreactant flow sections 150, discussed in further detail below. Althougha single planar channel 148 is illustrated between adjacent firstreactant flow sections 150, it is anticipated that a plurality of planarchannels 148 can be formed between adjacent first reactant flowsections. A plurality of second reactant outlets 152 are provided andenable fluid communication to the second reactant flow sections 62 ofthe first reactant carrier plate 50 discussed above. More specifically,the second reactant outlets 152 corresponds to second reactant passages94,112,134 of the other fuel cell module layers 80,100,120 to enable afluid communication path across the fuel cell module. A plurality ofcorresponding second reactant inlets 154 are also provided to enablesecond reactant flow to return to the second reactant carrier plate 140from across the fuel cell module.

Each first reactant flow section 150 includes at least one planarchannel 156, a first reactant inlet 158 and a first reactant outlet 160.A first reactant flow enters the first reactant flow section 150 throughthe first reactant inlet 158. The first reactant flow is provided fromthe first reactant carrier plate 50 from across the fuel cell module.The first reactant flow exits the first reactant flow section 150through the outlet 160 and returns to the first reactant carrier plate50. Although a single planar channel 156 is illustrated within eachfirst reactant flow section 150, it is anticipated that a plurality ofplanar channels 158 can be formed within each first reactant flowsection 150.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, the multi-dimensional reactantflow across the fuel cell module will be summarized. A first reactantflow enters the first reactant carrier plate 50 through the inlet header52. The first reactant flow is distributed across the first reactantcarrier plate 50 via the distribution channels 56 and the planarchannels 60′. A portion of the first reactant flow is directed acrossthe multiple layers of the fuel cell module and through the firstreactant flow sections 150 of the second reactant carrier plate 140. Thedetoured portion of the first reactant flow is directed back across themultiple layers of the fuel cell module and the first reactant flowexits the carrier plate 50 through the outlet header 54.

Similarly, a second reactant flow enters the second reactant carrierplate 140 through the inlet header 142. The second reactant flow isdistributed across the second reactant carrier plate 140 via thedistribution channels 144 and the planar channels 148. A portion of thesecond reactant flow is directed across the multiple layers of the fuelcell module and through the second reactant flow sections 62 of thefirst reactant carrier plate 50. The detoured portion of the secondreactant flow is directed back across the multiple layers of the fuelcell module and the second reactant flow exits the carrier plate 140through the outlet header 143.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A fuel cell stack, comprising a plurality of adjacently stacked fuelcell modules each of which includes a plurality of adjacently alignedfuel cells that are connected in electrical series, wherein current flowbetween adjacent fuel cells is achieved across diffusion media of saidadjacent fuel cells.
 2. The fuel cell stack of claim 1 furthercomprising a seal disposed between and along a portion of adjacentlyaligned fuel cells, said seal being fluid impermeable and electricallynon-conductive.
 3. The fuel cell stack of claim 1 further comprising aseal disposed between and along a portion of adjacently aligned fuelcells, said seal being fluid impermeable and electrically conductive. 4.The fuel cell stack of claim 1 wherein said fuel cell modules areconnected in electrical parallel.
 5. The fuel cell stack of claim 1wherein said fuel cell modules are connected in electrical series.
 6. Afuel cell stack, comprising: a plurality of adjacently stacked fuel cellmodules separated by electrically non-conductive bipolar plates; and aplurality of adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected inelectrical series, each of said fuel cells including: an anode diffusionmedia; and a cathode diffusion media, wherein current flow betweenadjacent fuel cells is achieved between said anode diffusion media andsaid cathode diffusion media of said adjacent fuel cells.
 7. The fuelcell stack of claim 6 wherein said current flow is from said cathodediffusion media to said anode diffusion media of an adjacent fuel cell.8. The fuel cell stack of claim 6 further comprising a seal disposedbetween and along a portion of adjacently aligned fuel cells, said sealbeing fluid impermeable and electrically non-conductive.
 9. The fuelcell stack of claim 6 further comprising a seal disposed between andalong a portion of adjacently aligned fuel cells, said seal being fluidimpermeable and electrically conductive.
 10. The fuel cell stack ofclaim 9 wherein said seal is disposed between said cathode diffusionmedia and said anode diffusion media.
 11. The fuel cell stack of claim 6wherein said fuel cell modules are connected in electrical parallel. 12.The fuel cell stack of claim 6 wherein said fuel cell modules areconnected in electrical series.
 13. A fuel cell stack having amulti-dimensional reactant flow therethrough, comprising: a plurality ofadjacently stacked fuel cell modules each of which includes a pluralityof adjacently aligned fuel cells that are connected in electricalseries, each of said plurality of fuel cell modules including: a firstreactant carrier plate that includes a first plurality of first reactantchannels and a first plurality of second reactant channels; intermediateplates; and a second reactant carrier plate that includes a secondplurality of second reactant channels and a second plurality of firstreactant channels, said first plurality of first reactant channels influid communication with said second plurality of first reactantchannels across said intermediate plates and said first plurality ofsecond reactant channels in fluid communication with said secondplurality of second reactant channels across said intermediate plates.14. The fuel cell stack of claim 13 wherein said first reactant carrierplate includes a plurality of second reactant flow sections withinwhich, said first plurality of second reactant channels are defined,each of said plurality of second reactant flow sections including aninlet and an outlet to receive and exhaust a second reactant flow fromacross said fuel cell module.
 15. The fuel cell stack of claim 13wherein said second reactant carrier plate includes a plurality of firstreactant flow sections within which, said second plurality of firstreactant channels are defined, each of said plurality of first reactantflow sections including an inlet and an outlet to receive and exhaust afirst reactant flow from across said fuel cell module.
 16. The fuel cellstack of claim 13 wherein said intermediate layers include an MEA layerand first and second diffusion media layers.
 17. The fuel cell stack ofclaim 13 wherein said intermediate layers include first reactant andsecond reactant passages that facilitate first and second reactant flowsacross said fuel cell module.
 18. The fuel cell stack of claim 13further comprising a seal disposed between and along a portion ofadjacently aligned fuel cells, said seal being fluid impermeable andelectrically non-conductive.
 19. The fuel cell stack of claim 13 furthercomprising a seal disposed between and along a portion of adjacentlyaligned fuel cells, said seal being fluid impermeable and electricallyconductive.
 20. The fuel cell stack of claim 13 wherein said fuel cellmodules are connected in electrical parallel.
 21. The fuel cell stack ofclaim 13 wherein said fuel cell modules are connected in electricalseries.